Secrets Behind the KIPP Bump, Part I: Student Demographics

This is first of several posts with results from a widely reported new study of the KIPP phenomenon.  Let the numbers speak: 

Student Characteristics: A Cross-Sectional Look at KIPP Schools Relative to Local Districts 

During 2008-09, KIPP enrolled a significantly higher proportion of African American students (55%) than did the respective local school districts (32%). However, KIPP schools served a substantially lower proportion of Hispanic students (39%) compared with local districts (50%). KIPP also enrolled substantially fewer white students (2%) compared withlocal districts (11%).

KIPP schools enrolled a higher percentage of students eligible for free and reduced-price lunch (77%) than did the local school districts (71%).

KIPP schools enrolled a lower percentage of students with disabilities (5.9%) than did their local school districts (12.1%).

KIPP enrolled a lower percentage of students classified as English Language Learners (11.5%) than did their local school districts (19.2%) (p. i).

Click to enlarge chart below.